Playing For The Next Generation

Roger McClendon is the Executive Director of the Green Sports Alliance. In his role, he leads the Alliance of international sports and stadium executives, as well as sustainability experts, to use sports as a vehicle to promote healthy, sustainability communities throughout the world.

Prior to joining the Alliance, Roger was the first-ever Chief Sustainability Officer for Yum! Brands, whose holdings include Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and KFC restaurants. He also led the development of Blueline, a sustainable design guide for restaurants built on the LEED certification program. Blueline was a global standard implemented in approximately 5,000 Yum! Brand restaurants globally. Due to his efforts, Yum! Was named to the Dow Jones Sustainability Index in 2017 and 2018, as well as one of the 100 Best Corporate Citizens by Corporate Responsibility Magazine.

Roger’s other passion is basketball. He was named a McDonald’s All-American in 1984, on eof the top 25 high school basketball players in the nation and went on to be a four-year starter who closed his University of Cincinnati men’s basketball career as the No. 2 scorer, second only to Oscar Robertson at the time. Roger was inducted into the UC Athletics Hall of Fame in 1998. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer & Electrical Engineering from the University of Cincinnati.

Michael Kraus is a passionate advocate for waste diversion and sustainable events. Prior to Green Sports Alliance, co-founded two sustainability-focused companies that continue to serve partners across the United States. Michael lovingly referred to himself as the Chief Diversion Officer as the co-founder of Food Loops. What started out of a pick-up truck quickly grew to support sustainable events on a national scale. Michael and the Food Loops staff have helped to execute sustainable events with NASCAR, UCI, NCAA March Madness, LPGA, College Football Playoffs, and more.

Because Michael can’t get enough of spending time in dumpsters or with waste diversion, he co-founded another business called Anew Lumber Co, which started to divert lumber waste and resell materials from construction sites. The company has since pivoted into a construction and demolition recycling company.

Michael’s athletic claim to fame is he was on the Lady Razorback practice basketball team where he successfully tried to keep up. He lives in NW Arkansas with his wife Rachel and two kiddos; he loves chess, any sport involving a ball, and this planet.

Matt Adler is the Director of Corporate and Sports Partnerships for the Green Sports Alliance. Matt works closely with our Corporate Member Network and nonprofit partners to vet and promote technology, products, and services that will help our sports members achieve their sustainability goals. Matt also helps to produce our annual summit, along with webinars, symposiums and other GSA events.

Bradley Vogel is the Member Services and Events Senior Manager for the Green Sports Alliance.
In his role, he works closely with all GSA members to ensure they are getting maximum value
from their memberships, ensuring that they all are able to reach their sustainability goals. In
addition, he assists with putting on events like the GSA Summit, and other sporting events that
the GSA is a part of.

Prior to joining the Alliance, Bradley was in charge U.S. Bank Stadium’s sustainability program,
overseeing the development and implementation of the program. Working with events like the
Super Bowl, NCCA Final Four, the X Games, and many other events like NFL games, concerts
and more, Brad’s time at the stadium culminated with a LEED Platinum Certification for
Operations and Maintenance, the first stadium of its kind to receive that distinction.

Brad has a robust background with sports and sustainability supervising waste sort teams at
stadiums like Target Field and Huntington Bank Stadium to leading Green Team volunteers at
MLB and NHL games. Brad took a brief hiatus from the sports world to work for Sustainable
Investment Group, a full service sustainability consulting firm specializing in LEED certifications,
wellness certifications, and engineering services. In this role, Brad became well versed in the
ARC platform, which has now partnered with the GSA to help leagues, venues, and teams
benchmark, track, and improve their utilities usage and waste diversion.

Brad lives in Minneapolis, MN with his wife Lydia and two cats Phoenix and Odin. He is an avid
biker, hiker, camper, gardener, snowboarder and loves checking out local breweries and
distilleries. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Sports Management from the University of
Minnesota, and a Master of Science Degree in Sustainability Management from the University
of Wisconsin-Stout.

Shay Strawser is the Manager of Marketing, Communications and Events. In her role, Shay tells the Green Sports Alliance story as we Play for the Next Generation. She manages marketing and public relation efforts, while harnessing partnerships growth.

Shay lives in Philadelphia, PA as climate action leader and community advocate. She is trail runner and basketball player that spends most of her in nature. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus in Marketing and Corporate Social Responsibility from Temple University.

Elaine is a widely respected sustainability consultant and strategist focused on building performance, wellness, equity and resiliency. Her passion is to move organizations towards a more sustainable future, helping achieve performance and social responsibility goals. She listens to diverse stakeholder groups with an intuitive ear, discerns challenges, facilitates corporate visioning sessions, and develops plans and protocols to implement strategies for desired outcomes. A strategic thinker and engaging communicator, Elaine’s approach to facilitating project teams results in long-term client success – whether that means achieving certification, educating staff, or enhancing building performance through materials, water and energy efficiency. Driven by a desire to protect the environment, Elaine addresses critical issues facing the built environment – helping achieve sustainability and equity one building or organization at a time.

Jonathan Balas leads corporate ESG reporting for an ambitious sustainability program as Director, Global Sustainability at Yum! Brands, Inc. Working closely with the company’s iconic KFC, Pizza Hut, Taco Bell, and Habit Burger Grill brands he keeps sustainability relevant, easy, and distinctive to drive progress, manage risk, build brand trust, and improve restaurant economics.

Under his guidance, the company has opened LEED certified restaurants across the planet and developed its own internationally adopted playbook for green restaurants which is resulting in thousands of buildings leaving a lighter footprint on the planet while helping the bottom line.

He has had the privilege of serving on Board of Directors for the Louisville Sustainability Council, as board Vice-Chair and Chair of Strategic Planning as well as on the LEED Pilot Library Committee for USGBC and the Sector Advisory Group for SASB.

Prior to joining Yum!, as an architect and LEED accredited professional, Jonathan led the development of a wide range of building projects. He holds a Master of Architecture degree, with a Certificate in Historic Preservation, from the University of Virginia and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Anthropology and History from the University of Vermont.

Christy Briggs, Logistics and Sustainability Manager for Lumen Field/Seattle Seahawks. Christy has been at the stadium for 10 years and has worked with the sustainability team for the last 7 years. During her time the team at Lumen Field has been recognized for their diversion program by receiving the 2018 Sustainability & Community Award – Stadium Business Awards and the 2019 Very Large Business Partner of the Year – EPA. Christy enjoys coaching track in her free time.

Carlie Bullock-Jones is the founder and managing Principal of Ecoworks Studio and has dedicated her entire career to bringing about a greener, healthier built environment. As an internationally known expert in the practice of sustainability and wellness consulting, Carlie has facilitated on numerous award-winning projects. With a passion for sports and sustainability, Carlie has spearheaded certification efforts for several stadiums, arenas, and training facilities for the NFL, NHL, NBA, MLS, MLB, and collegiate athletic projects. As a pioneer in the industry, Carlie has also led some of the very first WELL certified projects in the world, as well as the first TRUE Zero Waste sports projects in the world.

As one of the original LEED Faculty mentors for the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and the first WELL Faculty for the International WELL Building Institute (IWBI), Carlie is a highly sought-after speaker and writer for national events and publications. She has been extensively involved in the development of LEED and WELL standards over the years, serving as a Subject Matter Expert for USGBC, GBCI and IWBI, assisting in course curriculum, exam development and reference guide creation. In 2012, Carlie was inducted by USGBC as a LEED Fellow, one of only 77 in the world at that time. In 2014, she was a recipient of the Atlanta Business Chronicle’s “40 under 40” which highlights business leaders who have made significant career achievements and demonstrated social responsibility. Carlie has also been at the forefront of the healthy building movement and the honored recipient of the 2018 (Inaugural), 2019, 2020 and 2021 IWBI WELL Leadership Recognition Award.

Brandon Hamilton was named Kansas City’s Vice President of Stadium Operations and Facilities on May 4, 2017 and is entering his 14th season with the Chiefs in 2023. Hamilton directs the club’s Extra Yard for the Environment program; a sustainability initiative designed to devise and implement new environmentally friendly policies. The program currently focuses on waste diversion, energy efficiency and recycling at GEHA Field at Arrowhead Stadium, The University of Kansas Health System Training Complex and encourages fans to examine their sustainability efforts at home. Hamilton continues to work with national supply chain members to transform back-of the-house concession waste into compostable products that can be diverted.

Brandon is the former President & CEO of Pocono Raceway, a 300 acre motorsports facility ad host of NASCAR events, where in 2010 he helped to build and energize a 3mw solar installation that was at the time, the largest at any sports venue in the world. The raceway went on to be globally recognized as am early leader in Sports Sustainability. Brandon then was hired by NASCAR to oversee the relationship of the league and thier National Series tracks as well as consitiung to grow the NASCAR Green programs. During the summer of 2022, Brandon left NASCAR to start his own consulting firm , Igdalsky Consulting that focuses on business operations, sustainability, media/crisis management and business development In addition, Brandon is founder and Chief Mixer of his own fast growing cocktail mix company, Dude Wow Cocktails.

Dune Ives is a cultural and communications strategist, impact campaigner, and executive. Always leading with what she stands for rather than against, Dune believes in the power of market-based solutions to guide, influence and support requisite policy shifts and individual behavior change.

Previously Founding CEO for global changemaker Lonely Whale and co-founder of Paul G. Allen’s Vulcan Philanthropy and the Green Sports Alliance, Dune recently launched Movements That Matter (MTM), a strategic advisory services firm. MTM works with leading brands, non-profits, and philanthropies to develop and deliver sensible and impactful strategies for the new economy in the face of an increasingly disruptive and unpredictable environment.

Dune holds her Ph.D. in Psychology and is an NACD certified Board Director.

Scott Jenkins has extensive experience in developing, opening, and operating sports venues including Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Safeco Field in Seattle, Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia, and Miller Park in Milwaukee. Jenkins is a pioneer in the environmental movement in sports and cofounder of the Green Sports Alliance where he served as Board Chair for 12 years. He was honored with the 2013 Natural Resources Defense Council Game Changer Award and the 2012 NW Energy Coalition Conservation Eagle Award. Jenkins graduated from the University of Wisconsin with a bachelor’s degree in construction administration and the University of Washington’s Executive MBA program.

As Director of Engineering for the Golden State Warriors, Ian is responsible for all day-to-day operations of the Engineering department which includes the management of building repairs and maintenance. He is also responsible for the project management of capital improvement projects at Chase Center Arena.

Prior to joining the Golden State Warriors, Ian spent three years overseeing the development and construction of the Chase Center Arena with a focus on the commissioning of its MEPFP systems and state/local AHJ compliance. Ian holds a B.S. in Electrical Engineering from the University of Florida and is a LEED Green Associate

Aileen McManamon is the Founder and Managing Partner of 5 Tool Sports, a global sports management firm and certified B Corp. 5T focuses on futureproofing the sports industry by aligning team and league revenue models to the environmental, social and economic realities of today. The firm specializes in sustainability-centered sponsorship and ‘fan mobilization’ for social impact. Prior to founding 5T in 2008, Aileen directed brand strategy for Fiat and Alfa Romeo in Germany before moving into the tech sector, where she developed international go-to-market strategy and directed public investment in software, wireless and clean tech companies. She also had her ‘cup of coffee’ in baseball, as president of a minor league baseball team in the Oakland A’s system. 5T leverages Aileen’s brand marketing and technology expertise from working with the Olympic Games, FIFA Women’s World Cup, MLB, MLS, MiLB and the NFL, and brands such as Microsoft, EA Games, Hewlett-Packard and Mercedes-Benz. The firm is a recognized as a global thought leader in sustainable sport strategy with presence in Vancouver, Chicago, London, Amsterdam, Copenhagen, Lausanne and Melbourne.

As an award-winning creative director and copywriter, Robin has contributed to some of the world’s best-known brands for more than three decades. Today, Robin leads Citizen Group, building ‘citizen brands’ and developing purpose-driven campaigns and pro-social initiatives for clients such as Amnesty International, AT&T, Bloomberg Philanthropies, Cisco WebEx, City of San Francisco, City of Phoenix, EVgo, Lids, Major League Baseball, Pabst Brewing, NRDC, Stanford Medicine, The Trust for Public Land, USA Network/NBC Universal, United Nations, University of California, Wal-Mart (sustainability initiative), and WWF Climate Savers.

Over the years, Robin has been a leader in using the power of media to advance sustainability goals for companies, organizations, and their stakeholders. Robin’s work helped support the rise of the Green Sports movement through his defining work with NRDC, Major League Baseball, NHL, NBA, and the Philadelphia Eagles. In 2016, he led the development of the ‘Play Your Part’ campaign on behalf of the Super Bowl 50 Host Committee.

Robin past credits include the “Imagine” and “Instant Karma” campaigns for Amnesty International, based on the songs of John Lennon, which ran in more than 65 countries, and his work at Chiat/Day in the 1980s, where he created the NYNEX Yellow Pages “Human Cartoons” campaign, voted one of Adweek’s 25 Greatest Ad Campaigns. Robin previously co-founded Collaborate, where he led the development of integrated campaigns for Gore-Tex, Logitech, Rock the Vote, Sierra Club, and Seagate, and before that, Coca-Cola, Microsoft, General Motors, Guinness Brewing Company, Mastercard, PBS, and Virgin Records. He began his career at Hal Riney & Partners and Foote Cone Belding/SF, creating campaigns for AT&T, Blitz-Weinhard Brewery, Levi’s, Coors, Gallo, and VISA. In 1990, Robin was named to AdWeek’s Creative All-Stars list. Robin is also co-founder of Solar AquaGrid, a company dedicated to generating renewable energy and putting a lid on water evaporation by shading open canals with solar canopies as drought conditions intensify across the West.

Jason is co-founder and founding chair of the Green Sports Alliance and has served on the board since its inception in 2010. With a career spanning over 24 years in climate change, education, sustainability, and urban regeneration, Jason has been at the forefront of social, ecological, and economic transformation. A globally recognized pioneer in regenerative development and design, Jason’s work is advancing next-generation solutions to reverse global warming and restore planetary health. His career experience includes managing award-winning urban regeneration projects throughout North America, Asia Pacific, and the Middle East, serving as a global change advisor to Paul G. Allen, and heading sustainability and innovation for Lendlease. More recently, Jason has served as an advisor to multiple local and national governments on climate action, urban transformation, and social equity strategies including the development of a ten-year national legacy framework for Qatar drawing on the country’s investment in hosting the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Jason was designated a LEED Fellow by the United States Green Building Council in 2013. He is a co-founder, former chair, and advisory board member of the International Living Future Institute and was named a 2015 and 2017 Next City Global Urban Vanguard.

Currently based in Minneapolis, Jason is a Principal at Viridis Initiative, a mission-driven net zero infrastructure development firm working to scale and accelerate the decarbonization of cities and major institutions across the United States.

Jackie Ventura is the Sr. Director of Sustainability and Facility Health & Hygiene at Chase Center – the new home of the Golden State Warriors in San Francisco. She joined the team in July 2019 and helped lead them to a successful opening while establishing world-class systems and processes for venue operations. During the COVID-19 pandemic, Jackie led the strategic reopening of Chase Center by designing protocols in compliance with local, federal, and NBA mandates culminating in an award-winning testing program for players, employees, and fans. In her current role, she leads the sustainability strategy for Chase Center including responsible resource use, operational efficiency, fan education, and collaborative community engagement.

Prior to joining the Warriors, Jackie spent 18 years with the Miami HEAT in various facility management roles, including 10 years leading their sustainability initiatives and programs. During her tenure with the HEAT, FTX Arena became the first NBA facility to achieve LEED Certification (2009), the first sports & entertainment facility in the world to reach LEED Recertification (2014), and multiple community programs educating South Florida on environmental stewardship.

Jamie Zaninovich joined the Pac-12 in 2014 as Deputy Commissioner & Chief Operating Officer, having spent his entire career in college athletics, including service as the Commissioner of the West Coast Conference. In his current role, Zaninovich oversees television administration, finance, strategy, communications, men’s basketball sport management, Pac-12 Global, and “Pac-12 Team Green,” the conference’s Sustainability initiative. Zaninovich previously worked in college athletics administrative roles at both Princeton & Stanford University. A native of Eugene, Oregon (where he developed his passion for environmentalism and social justice at an early age), Zaninovich earned his undergraduate degree and MBA from Stanford University. He currently resides in Millbrae, California with his wife, Karen, and two teenage boys, Maxwell and Lucas.

Dr. Cyrus Wadia is the former Director of WW Product Sustainability at Amazon. He led a
mission to offer customers product choice that is more-sustainable, affordable, and business
accretive. His team embedded sustainability into core retail decision making, and launched
Climate Pledge Friendly, Amazon’s flagship sustainable shopping program setting higher
product standards for all products in Amazon’s catalog. Prior to Amazon, Cyrus was Vice
President, Sustainable Business & Innovation at Nike where he was responsible for Nike’s
integration of sustainability in new product development, advancing Nike’s efforts in carbon,
enterprise risk management, and the modernization of Nike’s brand and consumer engagement
strategy. Cyrus served as Assistant Director in the White House Office of Science and
Technology Policy between 2010 and 2015. There he advised the Obama administration and
led new budgetary and legislative initiatives in energy, climate, advanced materials,
manufacturing, and critical minerals. In this role, Cyrus was responsible for the creation and
expansion of more than $1 billion in new budgetary initiatives and led the development of the
nation’s first policy framework and strategy on critical minerals. Between 1996 and 2010, Cyrus
held many leadership roles as a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, a senior program officer at
Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and the founding member and Co-Director of the Haas School
of Business Cleantech to Market initiative. Cyrus holds a Ph.D. in Energy & Resources from
U.C. Berkeley, and an M.S. and S.B. in Chemical Engineering from MIT.